The Mavericks shook off tired legs from an NBA-minimum 22-hour turnaround on the road to breeze past the Raptors, using a 64-39 second half to win their 16th in 17 games. Dallas had survived a hard fought six-point win in Washington Saturday night and were knocked back by a 22-3 Toronto start. By the end of the first quarter, the Mavs bench had cut the deficit down to six, but it was the fourth before they took control of the game.
Dirk Nowitzki led the way with 31 points and 13 rebounds, and the bench picked up the slack for the rest of the starting lineup, which combined for just 19 points on 7-24 shooting. Shawn Marion (20), Jason Terry (19), Ian Mahinmi (13) and J.J. Barea all scored in double figures and combined for a +86 plus/minus.
Dallas gets Monday off but jumps right back into action Tuesday against the 76ers, who have won 9 of 13 and sit in seventh place in the East, just a half-game behind the Knicks.